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So far there have been several norovirus outbreaks in the United States. The same virus was blamed for spreading illness in Asia last year. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that experts this year have found new strain of the virus which can increase infection by almost 50%.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) said it has found that new strain of norovirus in connection with an outbreak earlier this week, CBS Minnesota reported.

Some online customers expressed anger as Fedex wasn't able to deliver their holiday packages on time. FedEx had already indicated that there could be delay for some deliveries scheduled for holiday season as the number of orders jumped this year. Fedex has also blamed inclement weather for delays of shipments at certain locations. FedEx employees worked tirelessly to deliver packages to customers on Christmas Eve. FedEx also informed customers that they can pick up their packages from FedEx Express offices.

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ is all set to touch $1 billion in ticket sales globally as the movie has already clocked in $890 million in sales. Walt Disney Co informed that Star Wars: The Force Awakens opened in some international markets on December 16 and till December 25, the movie ticket sales reached $890 million. Star Wars will soon hold the record for fastest run to $1 billion in ticket sales.

Have you ever thought that a DNA could be a game changer for weight loss? Your answer will be obviously no, but the new report published in the Journal Obesity has shown that person’s own genetic makeup plays key role in response to weight loss and gain. Five years down the line, researchers from the University of Texas are coming up with a master genome-specific diet based on the individual patient’s genes. As per the statistical report released, about 33% of Americans are suffering with obesity, one of the gravest problems of our times.

FedEx had already indicated that there could be delay for some deliveries scheduled for holiday season as the number of orders jumped this year. The company has also blamed inclement weather for delays of shipments at certain locations. FedEx employees worked tirelessly to deliver packages to customers on Christmas Eve. FedEx also informed customers that they can pick up their packages from FedEx Express offices.

An online tool has been unveiled by Federal health officials on Monday with the help of which the public and policymakers can conduct financial burden exploration that is being put by scores of costly drugs on the Medicare program and the country’s seniors.

The ‘dashboard’ is quite interactive as it displays the total spending in Medicare for every listed drug, and latest trends in its price and the number of old people in America, relying on it. It would reveal which pharmaceuticals have been driving up spending on drug and the factors behind the increases, in a new way.

More than expected decline has been witnessed in the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits. As per the Labor Department, the US jobless claims are nearing a 42-year low as labor market conditions are improving resulting into strengthening of the economy.

Graphic images and photos of damage caused by tobacco use work much better in helping smokers quit their habit. A new study by the researchers from Ohio State University shows how images on cigarette packaging help smokers consider quitting much better than words alone. Ellen Peters, a professor of psychology, said graphic images act as motivation for smokers to quit smoking. Ellen added that policies requiring such labels have the potential to reduce the number of smokers in America.

According to the figures released by the US Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the sales of new single-family houses in November have increased by 4.3% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 490,000 as compared to October. The increase is being attributed to reduced sales of homes in October, thereby indicating Americans are not interested in purchasing new homes during year end.

Low prices have taken confidence level to five-month high. On Wednesday, the University of Michigan has announced that its final sentiment index for December stands at 92.6, which is the highest since July, from 91.3 in November.

As per the researchers, cheap gasoline prices and a labor market have added millions of Americans to payroll and further strengthened sentiment this year. Also, demand has picked up, which may let the Federal Reserve to consider that the economy would be able to handle higher interest rates.